Screening and Brief Intervention in Substance Use Disorders: Its Clinical Utility and Feasibility Update from Available Literatures

Abstract

It is found that substance use and related complications extend from occasional mild risky/harmful/hazardous use to severe conditions. The screening instruments may help to identify them in the initial state. The brief intervention (BI) is to bring change in unhealthy or risky substance use. The intervention is carried out by a vast array of trained professionals in various settings and it is valid across substances, age and ethno-culture groups. It has six common elements summarized by the acronym FRAMES (Feedback, Responsibility, Advise, Menu for change, Empathy and enhancing Self-efficacy). The BI has shown significant evidence of efficacy reducing substances and their harmful consequences with improving functionality and quality of life.